Athens Voice 11-1-12

OU football: "I
have a comment about the Ohio University football team: Overrated!"

Ohio's U.S. Senate race: Josh Mandel is the last person Ohioans want
representing them in the U.S. Senate. He is a political opportunist who cares
more about his own political career than the people he is supposed to
represent. An excellent example of this is after only being the Ohio state
treasurer for two years, he is running for the Senate. When elected state
treasurer, he had no intention of being there for any more than two years and
has done a very poor job… If you watched any of the debates between him and
Sherrod Brown, the message is clear – he is very inexperienced, immature and
one we don't need in Washington representing our great state."

Athens County treasurer race:
"Does anyone else find it amazing and humorous that we have a Libertarian
running for county treasurer? Only in Athens County!"

Athens
County sheriff: "Since the sheriff has some trouble
separating truth and fiction, I'd like to know how many of the awards he claims
to have received are awards that sheriffs get just by being sheriffs, just for
no particular good reason, that all the sheriffs get every year to make it look
good."

Staples:
"The other day I was grabbing a copy of The
Athens NEWS. Out of habit, I found myself reaching deep into the stack to
ensure that I had a completely intact copy of the newspaper. (You know,
sometimes people read a paper, lose a page, and put back the paper with a
missing page on top of the stack.) Afterwards, I realized that the new staples
will prevent me from ever having to do this again."

Sheriff's
Facebook page: "I posted on Pat
Kelly's Facebook page last night, because he apparently doesn't have an email
address (I couldn't find one), that I wanted an affirmative statement from him
that he and his office would protect Athens Countians regardless of who we
supported in the sheriff race and no matter how the race came out. When I went
to check for a reply, it was DELETED, as Mr. Kelly does with most of posts unless
they are adoring boot-licking posts. Mr. Kelly, no matter who I support, and I
support Steve Kane, I am one of your constituents, my tax dollars pay your
salary for now, which seems to be one of your major concerns, and you are
accountable to me as well as all citizens of Athens County. I want to know if
you are going to protect all Athens Countians or just those who support you…"

Sheriff's race (from
Facebook):
"At first, I had a problem with the way The
Athens NEWS pointed out the negatives toward Sheriff Pat Kelly, but after
reading the transcript, it has shattered my problem. I, personally, do not
support either of the sheriffs (candidates). I know very little about Steve
Kane to like him, and I know enough about Sheriff Pat Kelly to dislike him. However,
I would be more comfortable to have a sheriff who will treat their citizens
equally. I am shocked to read in the transcript that, according to Sheriff Pat
Kelly, supporters of Steve Kane are automatically deemed as criminals. Granted,
I like what Sheriff Pat Kelly has done for Athens County. I now feel a bit safe
to walk the streets of The Plains because of the way he handles drug dealers. I
thank him for that, but I'd like to feel safe at all times. I'd like to be seen
as equal even if I were to support his opponent. I'd like to support whomever I
please without being labeled by somebody who is suppose to make me, my family,
and my community feel safe."

Sheriff's race
(from Facebook):
"Not trying to butt in or cause a problem but did
you hear Sheriff Kelly say the things The
Athens NEWS is saying he's talking about (from his recorded conversation
with the Glouster police chief). The
Athens NEWS is a Kane endorsement and has been very UNPROFESSIONAL in my
eyes…. Running Pat Kelly down into the ground is very unprofessional. I
honestly can't believe Pat Kelly would say something like that. Pat Kelly is
the best sheriff that's been in Athens since I've lived here. So many things
he's done for this county, and all the editor wants to do is pull out negative
things. Come on, pull out the damn positives about him. What about all the drug
busts that's been done, and all the cases solved…?

Sheriff's race: "I just want to say bravo to you at The Athens NEWS for reminding people
what journalism can do when done effectively, in regards to Sheriff Kelly's
conversation with Luke Mace. If people get offended when something goes against
what they believe, even when truth is staring them in the face, then you're
doing it right."

Commissioners'
races: "I would like to
urge everyone to vote for Larry Payne and Randy Mace for Athens County
commissioner. We really need people in that office who have already proved they
can handle public finances and not just OK every request that comes in. Times
are hard right now and the county cannot afford to elect anyone who doesn't
realize that they are spending hard-earned taxpayers' money. Both of these men
have already proved they are up to the job."

Sheriff's
race: "I am not a sex offender, I am not a drug dealer, I
am not a pervert, and I do have a Kane sign in my yard, so please, Mr. Kelly,
don't assume. Because you know what assuming does, and we know what you are.
Thank you very much, and I appreciate (again) The Athens NEWS."